www.inkthinkerblog.com — I never really thought of blogging as a modern-day widowmaker, but according to an article in this week’s New York Times, bloggers are dropping like flies as a result of long hours, high stress, limited sleep, and poor nutrition as a result of being constantly glued to the computer.
Two weeks ago in North Lauderdale, Fla., funeral services were held for Russell Shaw, a prolific blogger on technology subjects who died at 60 of a heart attack. In December, another tech blogger, Marc Orchant, died at 50 of a massive coronary. A third, Om Malik, 41, survived a heart attack in December.
Other bloggers complain of weight loss or gain, sleep disorders, exhaustion and other maladies born of the nonstop strain of producing for a news and information cycle that is as always-on as the Internet.
To be sure, there is no official diagnosis of death by blogging, and the premature demise of two people obviously does not qualify as an epidemic. There is also no certainty that the stress of the work contributed to their deaths. But friends and family of the deceased, and fellow information workers, say those deaths have them thinking about the dangers of their work style. (source)
As a 26-year-old who needs a new glasses prescription about every 10 months because of working on the computer all day every day, and who suffers from frequent head and neck aches from sitting in one position for hours at a time, I can at least attest to the physical strain of working in a Web-focused arena. I can also speak to how easy it is for hours to slip away during research or writing time. And for those who tend to lose track of time easily OR who tend to be obsessive, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of more and more hours in front of the screen with little impact when it comes time for a paycheck. [continue reading…]
www.inkthinkerblog.com — I’m not sure if it’s a failure of the public education system or perhaps a consequence of constant overstimulation and overconnectedness that makes people incapable of following simple instructions or using basic common sense these days, but I need an answer soon — because I can’t take this anymore!
Case in point: Today I got an e-mail that was a direct reply to the most recent issue of Notes in the Margin, which went out yesterday, asking if I was really Kristen King. “Yes, my name really is Kristen King, but I may not be the one you’re thinking of. Did you need something specific?” It turns out that the person, for some reason that is truly beyond my comprehension, thought I was Olympic hockey player Kristin King.
Let’s review:
She SUBSCRIBED to my newsletter, presumably through one of my FREELANCE WRITING WEBSITES.
She RECEIVED the newsletter, which is all about FREELANCE WRITING.
She e-mailed me at KRISTENKINGFREELANCING.COM to ask if I’m really KristIn King (which she spelled with an E when she asked, btw).
So I clarified that no, I am not that KristIn King, I am this KristEn King, and she responds, “Then stop e-mailing me.” Dude, you SUBSCRIBED to my newsletter, E-MAILED me asking a QUESTION, to which I responded promptly and politely, and now you’re being snarky? How about, “Oh, sorry.” Or even saying nothing and just using the unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of the initial e-mail, which, I reiterate, YOU REQUESTED? Seriously! [continue reading…]
www.inkthinkerblog.com — The first night of the six-week Six Figure Blogging course from Darren Rowse and Andy Wibbels is tonight, and I am so excited. Are you registered yet? The intro pricing period is over, but there is still time to get on board for what promises to be an awesome educational experience. Learn more and sign up.
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